Hello guys, newby here :D

A friend and I are wanting to build a small cnc plasma table out of an engraving table (about 3' x 3') that somebody gave him. It has 2 nema 34 stepper motors on it. We've read hi/lo all over the net trying to find the most cost effecient (read CHEAP) solution to get this project going.

From what we can gather we need a software package to run a motor controller which would power the motors we have. There seem to be many different ways to buy/build/implement a motor controller. Some with seperate power supplies needed, some that do this and some that do that ... what's a good solution that doesn't break the bank ?

Any and all advice appreciated. thanks.

- jack

You wll have to make sure that the X axis lead screw is not in the middle, underneath the table, or that the ways are not under it. If they are, you can make a guard for them out of sheetmetal to keep slag of of them..

try this site. Hope it helps. [URL="http://stepper3.com"]

My guess is an engraving table will be geared way too low to get the speeds you need for plasma...

Some things you will need
EMC is free software http://www.linuxcnc.org/
Drivers Gecko's http://www.geckodrive.com/product.aspx?c=3&i=14471
Power Supply... you could use an old pc power supply just to see it move.


John